1. MKE Winter Bike Party
FRIDAY FROM 5:30-8 P.M. | WHEEL & SPROCKET
The Bay View bike shop’s annual winter bike celebration helps seasoned cyclists and newbies gear up for riding in the cold and snow. The party will include knowledge stations, raffle prizes and motivation to push those pedals in the face of frost.
2. Rat Bath Album Release Show
FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. | THE BACK ROOM AT COLECTIVO
This “y’all-ternative” Milwaukee band celebrates the release of their “new murder country rock opera,” Call Me A Monster. The album tells a star-crossed lovers’ tale of a vampire and a time traveler through a queer lens that explores social and cultural trauma.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. West Vliet Street Holiday Happenings
FRIDAY FROM 5-8 P.M. AND SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M.-4 P.M. | WEST VLIET STREET
During this festive weekend of shopping and dining on West Vliet, shoppers can ride a horse-drawn wagon along the street and drink hot cider on board – all while browsing the area’s local stores.
4. Zach Pietrini
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT 7 P.M. | VAR GALLERY
The Milwaukee singer-songwriter is performing his latest release, Rock & Roll Is Dead, in the intimate Walker’s Point gallery. Friday’s show will have Pietrini playing solo with Milwaukee’s emo-indie rock band Paperback Hero opening. Saturday’s show will have Pietrini backed by his full band.
5. Re:Craft and Relic Holiday Market
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 10 A.M.-4 P.M. | MILWAUKEE COUNTY SPORTS COMPLEX
Get a head start on your holiday shopping at this curated market with over 160 artists, makers, vintage sellers and pop-up boutiques from across the Midwest. You can listen to live music and eat from local food trucks as you shop.
6. Family Literacy Fair
SATURDAY FROM 11 A.M.-2 P.M. | RADIO MILWAUKEE
At this free community fair, kids can browse diverse books, listen to stories, make crafts and enjoy hot chocolate courtesy of HYFIN and Black women-owned bookstores Rooted MKE and Niche Book Bar. Two local organizations will also provide literacy services and promote the power of reading.
7. World Oddities Expo
SATURDAY FROM 12-8 P.M. | BAIRD CENTER
Seek out the strange at this traveling oddities festival with a vendor market selling taxidermy, art, jewelry, home decor and more. Along with a pop-up tattoo parlor, visitors can also attend a craft workshop, listen to guest speakers and enjoy live music, painting and burlesque.
Want more great Milwaukee events? Check out our calendar!
8. Uncorked Wine Fest
SATURDAY FROM 7-11 P.M. | HARLEY DAVIDSON MUSEUM
Are you a wine lover or a bike lover? Taste over 100 wines and bubblies from across the world with music and after-hours access to the Harley Davidson Museum.
9. Jeff Tweedy
SATURDAY AT 7 P.M. | PABST THEATER
The Wilco frontman will talk about the transformative power of music and his third book, World Within A Song. The conversation, in partnership with Boswell Book Company, will also feature an acoustic performance from Tweedy. Tickets include a signed copy of the book.
10. Indie Night
SATURDAY AT 9:30 P.M. | COMPANY BREWING
This night of local indie music performances opens with Riverwest’s beloved Shell Bells, followed by singer-songwriter Jacob Slade and closing with Cosmic Lovechild. Vibes range from Spotify’s Fresh Finds Folk playlist to their Pollen playlist.
11. Coffee + Popcorn + Cats
SUNDAY FROM 10 A.M.-2 P.M. | ALMOST HOME CAT RESCUE
While petting the cats at this East Side shelter, try Rescued Roasters Coffee or Knights Gourmet Popcorn. The cat rescue will receive 10% of the sales from drink and snack purchases.
12. Otoñofest MKE
SUNDAY FROM 1-6 P.M. | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS PARK
The lineup at Milwaukee’s first Latin-alternative music festival spans rock, jazz, electronic and country, representing the diversity of Latin music. These family-friendly performances will also have local food and beverage vendors.
